Alan’s money will help build a new stable block, at the sanctuary which accommodates more than 300 animals including local wildlife and even Dartmoor Ponies, which are rarer than Giant Pandas.

The centre is also hoping his gesture will help raise the profile of facility which needs over £30,000 every year to run.

Alan, originally from Eastwood, won £1.9m on the National Lottery in 2009. He said: “I love animals and when I read about the need to raise money I offered to donate some cash, but also the use of some of my land to accommodate some of the animals.”